Adelaide under the microscope

KERRY O'BRIEN: And now, from the macro to the micro, and another of the three key marginal seats we're re-visiting throughout the campaign.

Tonight, we're back in the inner-city Adelaide electorate of the same name -- currently held by Liberal MP Trish Worth by just 0.6 per cent.

Labor really has to win this seat if it's to have any real hope of winning government -- but some of the issues here are tricky for both sides.

Unlike many other marginals, both major parties in Adelaide can claim a solid heartland.

The swingers here are a mere handful.

But the demographics and issues are tricky for both sides, covering 75 square kilometres, the electorate includes the Adelaide CBD and inner suburbs.

Reporter Mike Sexton spoke with three groups of people, each with very different concerns, who are still reserving judgement about which way they'll vote.

MIKE SEXTON: Christos Juhanson and his friends spend most Wednesday evenings on the piste.

That's French for a pitch where they play petanque, the Gallic version of bowls.

CHRISTOS JUHANSON: It's just people who live, work around here and gather around here.

We can have 60 people here on a Sunday in summer.

MIKE SEXTON: While the conversation rarely drifts to politics, they can't escape the election.

Their home ground is in the middle of one of the most fiercely contested seats in the country, where incumbent Liberal Trish Worth is up against Labor's Kate Ellis.

CHRISTOS JUHANSON: Trish Worth looks very good on her posters.

I think they took photos sometime ago and they're making her look as young as Kate Ellis.

MIKE SEXTON: And while petanque provides a medicinal drink and a spot of exercise, Christos Juhanson is concerned about his health and so believes Medicare policies will probably swing his vote.

CHRISTOS JUHANSON: Health is very important.

I mean, at my age, tender age of 61, I am very aware about health issues.

I need my Medicare.

This year I was sick for the first time for 10 years and I was amazed at what my doctors' bills were, so it was nice -- and no bulk-billing, so I would like the bulk billing and I would like to see more of that.

MIKE SEXTON: Although he says he isn't particularly engaged by the campaign, Christos Juhanson believes there won't be a change after October 9.

CHRISTOS JUHANSON: I personally think -- and this is me -- the Coalition will probably sneak back in.

I think the young lad from the Labor Party is probably not quite there this time.

GRAEME JONES: It seems like they're both trying to stick their hand up highest and say, "We've got the best deal."

But they both don't really seem that much different to me.

MIKE SEXTON: Just up the road from the petanque club, Graeme Jones runs an organic grocery shop on the edge of Adelaide's Central Market.

His customers are overwhelmingly committed to green issues, and so the shop is something of a political hothouse.

From his viewpoint, Graeme Jones is frustrated with the Presidential-style campaign being run by the major parties.

And while you might assume the Greens will be first on his ballot the grocer says he's still undecided.

GRAEME JONES: And in the last two elections I found myself not voting for somebody but voting against somebody and that's probably what will happen again.

MIKE SEXTON: But for inner city residents Jo and Terri, this campaign is personal.

Seven years ago the lesbian couple held a commitment ceremony and consider themselves to be married.

TERRI: After a month of getting together, I said, "That's it, this is the woman I want to marry, that's why," and I wanted to make that commitment.

It's not just living together.

It's everything.

It's the next 60, 100 years, whatever.

JO: Zimmer frames.

TERRI: That's why we got hitched.

MIKE SEXTON: While their marriage isn't recognised under Australian law, further legislation passed this year explicitly bans same-sex marriage, a law initiated by the Government and supported by Labor.

Jo and Terri feel they're on the sharp end of what they see as John Howard's wedge politics.

JO: It's very disappointing because, you know, not only did it just allow legislation to stay in place that discriminates against us, he actively put in legislation to discriminate against us.

And it does -- it really makes us feel like second-class citizens.

It also incites hatred, you know, in the community saying gay couples aren't as worthy as other couples and that's very disappointing that he's taken stance.

MATTHEW LOADER, GAY RIGHTS ACTIVIST: People are absolutely livid, frustrated, angry, more angry than I have seen people ever before.

People have really come out of the woodwork on this issue because they really feel that they are being attacked quite explicitly in this legislation, that this legislation is about promoting and fanning prejudice.

MIKE SEXTON: Gay activist and Labor Party member Matthew Loader believes there are 400 to 500 gay and lesbian couples living in the Adelaide electorate, a seat the Liberals won last election by just 388 votes.

And while the Liberal Party may not expect many gay and lesbian votes, Matthew Loader suggests Labor's support of the same-sex marriage ban could see their pink vote turn green.

MATTHEW LOADER: I would suspect that most people are going to avoid casting a primary vote for either of the major parties.

They will be looking towards minor parties.

JO: We think Greens or Democrats have been a lot more supportive of gay couples and they haven't done the backflips like Labor has.

Yeah, we will definitely be looking at them to help progress gay rights.

MIKE SEXTON: At the traditional draw for positions on the ballot paper, there was much interest in where preferences will go.

The Democrats aren't saying yet, while the Greens are waiting for more environment policies to be announced by the major parties before making their call.

The one thing the Liberals have wrapped up is the so-called donkey vote by grabbing the number one spot on the ballot.

SENATOR NICK MICHIN, LIBERAL: There is an element of a donkey vote in the House of Representatives, so if you had a choice you'd like to be number one on the House of Representatives ballot paper so I think that is good for Trish Worth, yes.